FSU's veteran receivers say their experience can help QBs in competition

As quarterbacks fight for starting job, receivers try making them 'look good'

March 30, 2013|By Coley Harvey, Orlando Sentinel

TALLAHASSEE — The hour was getting late. Florida State's fifth workout of the spring practice season was about to come to an end.

But before the Seminoles could finish another afternoon training on the intramural fields across from Doak Campbell Stadium, their offense had to conclude its red-zone drills with a few scores.

Thanks to senior Greg Dent and one dramatic leap, the unit got one.

With quarterback Clint Trickett rolling to his right and escaping the pocket, Dent sprinted toward the back right corner of the end zone. As the pass left Trickett's hands a little hot and a little high, in one motion Dent spun, shook loose from his defender and jumped.

Before his big toes and eventually his back hit the ground, Dent wrapped his hands around the football and delicately cradled it. It was the type of catch that drew applause from his teammates and praise from his coaches.

To the rest of the Seminoles' receivers, though, it was just another ordinary play during a spring that has called for plenty of them.

"It's our job to make those guys [the quarterbacks] look good," junior wideout Rashad Greene said. "It's our job to take that role and pick them up when things aren't going well and make those plays even when the ball's not perfect for you."

The Seminoles' biggest storyline this spring has revolved around their four quarterbacks and the intense competition they are going through for the starting role. Two of the four are freshmen. Another is a little-used sophomore. Only the fourth-year junior, Trickett, has started games at the position, but even his limited action pales in comparison to the experience the Seminoles' veteran group of pass catchers.

FSU's receiving corps this spring features a quartet of fourth- and fifth-year scholarship players in Dent, Willie Haulstead, Christian Green. Each has extensive starting experience. So does Greene, the Seminoles' leading receiver from the last two seasons.

With the Seminoles looking for quarterback to take over for former starter and outspoken leader EJ Manuel, the receivers say their own roles as leaders have increased.

"In the past, I wasn't as vocal," Shaw said. "I wasn't as hands on. Now, I want to take that role. I'm helping guys after practice by teaching them the playbook and things like that."

As he and his staff continue to parse through the quarterback battle, coach Jimbo Fisher has said one of the things he wants to gauge from his quarterbacks is their ability to affect the players around them. He wants to see if the quarterbacks can ad-lib and make plays when the rest of the offense breaks down. He wants to see if they can motivate their teammates. He wants to see how well they can lead drives and put their teammates in positions to score.

"Sometimes that's one of the harder things about making these determinations is putting guys in critical situations in practice," quarterbacks coach Randy Sanders said.

Sanders and the rest of the staff will have that chance Monday, though, when the Seminoles go through their first scrimmage of the spring.

Regardless where the balls are thrown, the quarterbacks can be assured of one thing, Shaw said.

"With either of them in, I'm going to try to make a play," he said. "Whoever's in the game, I'm going to do my best for him."